Leather Kite?

[Richard Amirault]

Anyone made a kite (that really works) using leather for the sail?

I've picked up some thin leather pieces that, one of these days, I'd like to
make a "high wind" kite with.

Any suggestions as to what *type* of kite might work best. The thing will
be a lot heavier than a 'normal' kite so it will only fly in high wind ..
but .. high wind kites need to be built a lot more perfectly so as not fly
off to one side or the other.

A diamond? A small box? A delta? A sled? or ... ??

[fungus]

Post by Richard Amirault
I've picked up some thin leather pieces that, one of these days, I'd like to
make a "high wind" kite with.
Any suggestions as to what *type* of kite might work best. The thing will
be a lot heavier than a 'normal' kite so it will only fly in high wind ..
but .. high wind kites need to be built a lot more perfectly so as not fly
off to one side or the other.
A diamond? A small box? A delta? A sled? or ... ??

I'd make a box or a delta - they're the most
stable flyers (diamonds tend to spin). A leather
sled would probably be very hard to inflate.

[Or, if you're feeling ambitions, a box-delta... :-) ]

[Wm...]

Post by fungus

Post by Richard Amirault
I've picked up some thin leather pieces that, one of these days, I'd
like to make a "high wind" kite with.
Any suggestions as to what *type* of kite might work best. The
thing will be a lot heavier than a 'normal' kite so it will only fly
in high wind .. but .. high wind kites need to be built a lot more
perfectly so as not fly off to one side or the other.
A diamond? A small box? A delta? A sled? or ... ??

I'd make a box or a delta - they're the most
stable flyers (diamonds tend to spin). A leather
sled would probably be very hard to inflate.

My first thought was box too. Wouldn't a delta be prone to leaks
leading to instability if the leather needs to be stitched together to
make the sail? I mean we are looking at a fairly solid kite here!

Some thing Richard might want to consider is the wet stuff from the sky,
moisture from a sea breeze and other things that might be absorbed by
the leather. He may live in a very dry, windy place but unless treated
properly I think a wet or damp leather kite is as likely to fly as a cow
tied on the end of a string.

My third thought was spars. They're going to need to be strong and
rigid (leather stretches) and would as a result add to the weight of the
beasty trying to get airborne.

These are just my thoughts, I am not trying to put Richard off his
project. Let us know how you get on, I'd love to see pics if you do get
it to fly.


Hmmmmn.

Having written all that maybe diamond *designed* to spin (squarish)
would work too? i.e. as the leather stretches it forms a bubble like
kite shaped by an external frame?

[fungus]

Post by Wm...
My first thought was box too.

Box would be the best, but it seems too boring
a shape for something so troublesome as this kite
will be.

A leather kite really ought to be bat shaped (if
it's black leather) or something interesting.

Maybe you could make it look like a pteradactyl -
make a head out of something and put some leather
feet and a long tail on the trailing edge.

...or a manta ray shape.

Post by Wm...
Wouldn't a delta be prone to leaks leading to
instability if the leather needs to be stitched
together to make the sail?

Well...it's going to be a "high wind" kite so
maybe it will help.

The other problem will be balance. Leather isn't
usually very uniform in thickness so balancing
the two wings will be tricky. Again, it probably
won't matter. Flying a little off-center will be
the least of your problems with a kite like this.

[Wm...]

Post by fungus

Post by Wm...
My first thought was box too.

Box would be the best, but it seems too boring
a shape for something so troublesome as this kite
will be.
A leather kite really ought to be bat shaped (if
it's black leather) or something interesting.
Maybe you could make it look like a pteradactyl -
make a head out of something and put some leather
feet and a long tail on the trailing edge.
...or a manta ray shape.

Post by Wm...
Wouldn't a delta be prone to leaks leading to
instability if the leather needs to be stitched
together to make the sail?

Well...it's going to be a "high wind" kite so
maybe it will help.
The other problem will be balance. Leather isn't
usually very uniform in thickness so balancing
the two wings will be tricky. Again, it probably
won't matter. Flying a little off-center will be
the least of your problems with a kite like this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6287367.stm

might add to Richard's thoughts. In spirit I agree with fungus, an
interesting kite should have an interesting form.

Now all we have to decide on is the music, any advances on Steinman /
Meat Loaf doing Bat out of Hell? :)

[Patti Beadles]

Post by Wm...
My third thought was spars. They're going to need to be strong and
rigid (leather stretches) and would as a result add to the weight of the
beasty trying to get airborne.

Leather stretches primarily along one axis. If you look down
the hide from head to tail, it will stretch mostly from side to
side, and not so much from head to tail.

-Patti

[Wm...]

Post by Patti Beadles

Post by Wm...
My third thought was spars. They're going to need to be strong and
rigid (leather stretches) and would as a result add to the weight of the
beasty trying to get airborne.

Leather stretches primarily along one axis. If you look down
the hide from head to tail, it will stretch mostly from side to
side, and not so much from head to tail.

Hence the fatted calf rather than the burst open calf :)

[Geezer]

Post by Richard Amirault
Anyone made a kite (that really works) using leather for the sail?
I've picked up some thin leather pieces that, one of these days, I'd like
to make a "high wind" kite with.
Any suggestions as to what *type* of kite might work best. The thing will
be a lot heavier than a 'normal' kite so it will only fly in high wind ..
but .. high wind kites need to be built a lot more perfectly so as not fly
off to one side or the other.
A diamond? A small box? A delta? A sled? or ... ??
--
Richard Amirault N1JDU
Boston, MA, USA
n1jdu.org "Go Fly A Kite"

My first thought was a diamond...rather largish...sort of on the scale of
the current Premier diamond line, possibly vented (or permeable inserts).
Probably need a looooonggg tail.
And be very conscious of the grain of the leather. It may even require some
extra stitching to prevent excess stretch.

Keep on mind that I'm sitting here at my computer needing coffee and
suffering the effects of Vicodin...

Dan

[Spencer & Miyuki]

Back in the 80's, Buffalo Kite Company (?) had a diamond leather kite
with their logo embossed into it. It was on the large side and came with
a leather "kite bag". More of a scabbard. Good luck.

[kiteguy]

Post by Spencer & Miyuki
Back in the 80's, Buffalo Kite Company (?) had a diamond leather kite
with their logo embossed into it. It was on the large side and came with
a leather "kite bag". More of a scabbard. Good luck.

I would suggest a delta kite. You know, like the one Xena, Warrior
Princess made. That one flew GREAT. No problem flying it through the
trees!